We could start quite lazily today (but then when can’t we?!). I showered while Dan did whatever it is he does on his computer. Then I played a few of my games, started this blog, and began the packing adventure. The only thing I have to add to the mix is my new Boston cap, so packing should be fast and easy.
We discussed what we’d do with our shorter day and then we received a text: our flight was being delayed (by two hours so far) because the incoming flight was arriving late due to low visibility which limited the number of planes allowed to land each hour. Gee, memories of when we left SFO! We could look at other flights and reschedule and/or reroute if we wanted so I took a quick look and, sure enough, there was a 1:05 flight so I grabbed it. By the time I’d done the necessary box clicking the seats I wanted were gone, and the departure time had changed to 1:35. Unfortunately we now couldn’t get one aisle seat, but so it goes. We’d rather get home earlier, after all. Shortly after we received texts saying our flight was now delayed until 2:15!
In any case, this meant change of plans: we’d first pack and be ready to go, leave our luggage downstairs, and go grab our coffees. Knowing how traffic is here we want to leave plenty of time to get to the airport!
Leaving to get coffee at the closest place that wasn’t Starbucks (we only go there out of desperation!) the rain came down. And I mean really came down. It was a true downpour.
We had our umbrellas, but were still a bit wet when we arrived at the coffee spot. Of course the rain immediately died down when we went inside. But we got our food and coffee, sat down, and spent a bit of time there.
Then back to the hotel we went.
We didn’t want to chance a late checkout, and knowing how slow the one available elevator was we made sure not to take a chance. So up and then down we went, and Dan called for a Lyft.
We had an uneventful ride to the airport.
Just a few from-the-car photos:
Security was quick and easy. Dan got us into the lounge (I have no clout!) and we relaxed. Soon the departure time for our flight was yet again later, listing 2:58 for take off with boarding beginning at 2:18. I started to wonder if our landing might be what we had planned on with the later flight!
The lounge was fairly empty when we arrived, and nice and quiet.
Of course eventually it did fill up: we obviously wouldn’t be the only ones affected by all the delays. I’m just grateful that Dan has the charge card that gets us into a lounge and we can get our “free” food. (Obviously paying for the card — and it’s not cheap! — means nothing is truly free.) We had nice seats right at the window so we could watch planes take off and disappear into the clouds. We were also near our gate so we could see when the plane we would be taking (coming from Chicago) landed.
Boarding was quick and easy. I was in the middle seat, and Dan had the window. The woman who had the aisle was definitely not one to want to converse. She also was wearing a hoody AND a puffer jacket — I would have roasted! She stood to let us in, but then she hunkered down and I did wonder if she’d ever get up. At one point I finally asked to get out to use the bathroom (oh how I wish we’d had the aisle!). But the flight was fine, and home we went.
The terminal is a bit of mess to get through at the moment, but we made our way out (eventually) and took the tram to our car in long term parking. We arrived home safe and as sound as is possible for us. (Well, I suppose I shouldn’t speak for Dan. Hah!)
Next up (after some music work for me): Chicago!